Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most Gulf of Mexico state waters and all Gulf federal waters July 1. The same day, the season will close in state waters off the coast of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties.

The gag grouper recreational harvest season in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, not including Franklin, Jefferson, Wakulla, Taylor and Monroe counties, will remain open through Dec. 3. State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties were open from April 1 through June 30 and will not be open during the July 1-through-Dec. 3 season. Monroe County is also excluded from the July 1-through-Dec. 3 season because it is included in the Atlantic rules for gag grouper.

Gag grouper caught in federal waters during the July 1-through-Dec. 3 season may be taken ashore in Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, but boats with gag grouper aboard may not stop and must have gear stowed while traveling through state waters in that region. (See maps.)

The four-county region includes all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County, and all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County. The FWC manages marine fish from the shore to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico.

The FWC is working with Florida’s anglers to rebuild gag grouper populations in the Gulf of Mexico back to strong, sustainable levels.

The gag grouper recreational harvest minimum size and bag limits are 22 inches total length and two gag grouper per person.